Read More

Boro don't have a natural No.10

Further forward, Lewis Baker still flatters to deceive. In a 4-2-3-1 formation the No10 role is crucial and the loanee from Chelsea looked out of his depth against Bournemouth.

He’s got bags of talent but he’s not been able to grab a game by the scruff of its neck and on Tuesday the action passed him by.

From what we’ve seen so far this season, Boro don’t have a natural No10 and that means Monk has had to look at alternative formations to 4-2-3-1.

It’s anyone’s guess how he lines his team up at Reading and that’s not because he’s got several exciting options, it’s because he’s yet to find a formula that gets the best out of his talented but unbalanced squad.